Bottle container



Nov. 19, 1935.

F. c. MOORMAIfJN BOTTLE} CONTAINER Filed April 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorney Nov. 19, 1935.

F. c MOORMANN BOTTLE CONTAINER Filed April 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 inventor; 5 Fen/m C. Nooz/m/v/v:

(Ittorneg course of the following description,

. cal manner,

Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The object of my present invention, broadly stated, is the provision of a container, or crate, especially applicable for bottles, or the like, the

same being simple in its construction, light in weight, attractive in appearance, wherein the contents thereof will be easy of access, in which the goods contained therein will not be liable to breakage, which can be used for a long period of time without deterioration, and which can be manufactured at a profit and sold at a comparatively low price.

More specifically stated, my object is to provide a sheet metal container for bottles, with means for resiliently clamping each bottle separately in itsv desired and exact position, properly spaced from each other, and preventing rattling or breaking thereof, with means whereby the filled container may be easily handled, and having means whereby the containers may be stacked pyramidically without danger to the containers or the contents thereof, and with means whereby they can not slide laterally with relation to each other. Other objects and particular advantages of my invention will suggest themselves in the and that which is new will be correlated in the appended claims.

One manner of carrying out the principles of my present invention in a practical and an economiis shown in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention, as it would appear in closed condition. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same. Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of the: complete device filled Withbottles, as taken on theline 3-3 of Figure 2'- Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same, but with the lid removed, showing the interior elements thereof. Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the inserts, or interior devices. Figure 6 is a top plan view of the same. Figure 7 is an inside elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 6, as taken from the line of Fig. 6. Figure 8 is a detail horizontal section, as taken from the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a longitudinal plan section of the case without inserts, as taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1. Figure 10 is a detail section of the case, as taken on the line Ill-10 of Fig. 9. And Figure 11 is a detail elevation, showing two of my devices nested together, one above the other.

Similar indices designate like parts throughout the several views.

In order that the construction, the operation, and the several advantages of my invention may be more fully understood and appreciated, I will now take up a detailed description thereof, in

which I will 'set forth the same as fully and as comprehensively as I may.

My construction comprises a case, consisting of substantially vertical sides I, and ends 2, formed with rounded corners, the upper edges thereof being folded around a stiffening wire member 3, forming a roll edge A for the upper terminal of the case. Likewise the lower edge portions of said sides and ends are folded inwardly around a reinforcing wire 4, forming an inwardly extending support B, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

Numeral 5 denotes the removable bottom for said case, the same having a downwardly extending flange therearound, which flange is adapted to rest on said support B, as shown in Fig. 10. In this instance there are a plurality of appertures C formed through the bottom 5, each having a downwardly extending flange C therearound, which flanges tend to stiffen the bottom, but at the same time preserving the resiliency thereof, as the bottom is located above the floorline on which the case rests, the bottles resting on said bottom will be resiliently supported thereby, so that no damage can eventuate to the bottles should the case be dropped on the floor.

At each end of the case handles are provided, by means of the apertures D, thereby exposing the wire 3 at that point, whereby the case may be lifted manually and carried as desired.

Numeral 1 denotes the lid, which is normally located entirely within the walls of the body of the case, and when closed it will be on a level with the lower edges of .the handle apertures D. Said lid is mounted to swing open from one side of the case, by means of two compound hinges 8. One member of each hinge is adapted to rotate on the wire 3, and their other members are secured to the lid 1, thereby enabling the lid 1 to occupy either the open or the closed positions, which are indicated in Fig. 3.- Finger apertures E are formed through the front corner portions of the lid 1, whereby the lid may be opened, and then turned back as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, where it will be entirely away from the interior of the case, and will not interfere with inserting or the removal of bottles into or from the case.

Upper and lower bosses l and l", respectively, are formed in the inner face of the front side member of the case, between the upper and lower members of which the front edge of the lid 1 engages when it is in closed position. Said bosses are formed concave-convex, by pressure applied to the outer side of the front member of the case.

Also pressed outwardly from the lower portions of the sides of the case, are the lugs, or stops, 9, the same having their peaks directed upwardly, with their lower ends forming downwardly directed shoulders, with which may engage the upper edges of a like case, to be located therebelow, as will hereinafter be fully described.

Probably the most important feature of my construction resides in the inserts, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, of which a plurality thereof are combined with one of the cases above described, and they are adapted to fit snugly in one of said cases, as shown in Fig. 4, in which instance four of said inserts are employed. It is to be understood that said case may be made of any desired size, in order to accommodate one or any number of inserts therein. And as all of said inserts are identical with relation to each other, therefore a description of one will answer for all.

Each of said inserts describe an unequal-octagon in horizontal contour, that is each is oblong, with truncated corner portions, with all the parts thereof in vertical position. Each insert comprises the two-sides IE and II; the two ends l2 and I3; and the four angular corner portions I i. One of said ends, the end I3 for instance, is divided by the slot E, in order to provide for expansion and contraction of the insert. Said inserts have neither bottom or top members in themselves, but they rely entirely upon the top and the bottom of the case therefor. Each of said inserts is formed to receive three bottles F therein, as indicated by the bottles shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

Each side of the insert is provided with wings arranged in pairs extending inwardly, as the wings I5-l6, l'li8, i9-20; and 2l--22. Said wings are formed from the same sheet of metal of which the sides of the insert are formed, that is said wings are integral with the sides of their inserts, as indicated in Fig. 5, but they are formed intermediate the upper and the lower portions of said sides, that is to say, they do not extend entirely to the top or the bottom of their respective sides of the insert. The members of each pair of said wings normally extend slightly convergently toward each other, as indicated in Fig. 6, but they may swing by tension, to the right or the left for the purpose of gripping the bottles.

In practice the containers may be filled, or partly filled, with bottles, as shown, and after the lid 'i has been closed, the container and its contents can be easily lifted, manually or otherwise, by means of the handle members in the usual manner.

When being handled, or transported, there will be scarcely any danger of breaking the bottles, even with very severe usage, as the bottles will be resiliently spaced from contact with each other, or with the wall of the container, and they also are resiliently protected against vertical contact with arigid element, by reason of the resiliency of the bottom 5, and the lid 1, with which they contact. I

Also it is to be noticed that with my construction, the bottles will be easy of access, for removal and for replacement.

Manifestly, if so desired, a lock may be applied to the lid, in order to prevent unauthorized removal of the bottles from the container.

It is contemplated that practically all parts of my construction are to be made of sheet metal, of a gage such as to meet contemplated conditions which may eventuate.

It is to be understood that the oblong apertures formed in the sides of the insert are for no purpose, other than to employ the material obtained thereby for providing the wings above mentioned, therefore said wings may be formed separately and autogenously, spot welded, or otherwise secured to the sides of the insert, without the necessity of the formation of said wings as above set forth.

Also it is to be understood that the bottom 5 may be formed without apertures being formed therethrough, as shown. In fact the bottom 5 may be formed rigidly in the case, as for instance in the event that the interior of the container is to be iced, for the purpose of cooling the contents of the bottles.

Also I would call attention to the fact that the case is formed slightly smaller at its lower end than it is at its upper end, that is to say it is formed tapering, whereby the lower portion of the case will fit snugly in the upper end of a case therebelow. However it will be prevented from wedging therein, or from being inserted further than desired, by reason of the stops 9, against which the upper edge 'of the lower case engages, to assure a uniform amount of insertion, which feature is shown in practice in Fig. 11.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the several details of my construction, from that herein shown,

without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof which are new and useful, and which involves invention. 7

Having now fully shown and described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An insert adapted to nest with similar inserts within an outer case, said insert being formed of a single piece of sheet metal and being formed so as to resiliently clamp a plurality of bottles therein, said insert having portions of its sides turned inwardly forming flanges adapted to resiliently press against said bottles, said insert being adapted to be readily inserted into or removed from said outer case.

2. In combination with an outer container case provided with a removable bottom, of an insert adapted to be easily inserted or removed with relation to the container and when inserted to rest on said bottom, said insert being formed by a section of sheet metal having portions of its sides turned inwardly in such manner as to resiliently engage a plurality of bottles located in said case.

3. In combination with a container for bottles, of a plurality of sheet-metal inserts removably located in said container, each of said inserts having portions of its sides turned inwardly providing means for resiliently engaging bottles located in said container and retaining them resiliently in spaced position with relation to each other and to the case.

FRANK C. MOORMANN. 

